Thursday, July 08, 2004

in 477, the faithful of Jerusalem destroyed the infidel Godfrey as his forces marched around the holy city’s walls. Never would an unbeliever set foot within Jerusalem’s sacred streets.

in 1709, Charles XII of Sweden defeated Peter the Great of Russia in battle at Poltava in the Ukraine. The Swedish Empire grew even larger after that, swallowing up chunks of Russia over the years, and, after Peter’s death in 1725, annexing the once-great nation altogether.

in 1864, the Congress of Nations is established. The Mlosh First Chancellors of the North American Confederation and Ml’Astra both speak at the opening, as do Prime Minister Henry Palmerston of England and Karangan King Abayomi. The event in Cairo, Egypt is marred by violence as Human League terrorists fire at the stage during First Chancellor Telgala’s speech, disintegrating the podium she was standing behind. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and the terrorists were apprehended immediately.

in 1881, druggist Edward Berner of Two Rivers, Wisconsin felt that he needed a gimmick to set his drugstore apart from others. Being something of a historian, he knew of an old 18th century dessert called ice cream, that had failed to catch on in the U.S. He tried to revive it by pouring chocolate syrup over it. As delicious as the syrup was, it couldn’t revive the full dish – people ate the syrup and left the ice cream.

in 1947, rancher Mac Brazel is taken into custody at the Roswell Army Air Base, and questioned about the wreckage. Repeatedly, the military interrogators ask him about a second crash, and where the aliens are. Several newspapers break the story that a flying saucer has crashed in Roswell, New Mexico.

in 4648, the b’Han scientists finish their preliminary mission on earth and take their leave of Emperor Dao-Ming. While they have enjoyed his company, and he their’s, they have some criticisms they give him of the government he rules over. “In your society, people are born to a class and die in that class. For a high-born individual such as you, this is a fine existence, filled with opportunities as well as challenges. But, what motivation does someone born in the lower classes have? What opportunities are permitted them, to leaven the challenges that your society places in their way? In our society, we all have an equal voice in determining the path of our people. But here, your voice alone does that.” The emperor was troubled at their words, so they left him with this: “We believe that you are a being of good moral values; that you wish to do what is right. Perhaps it is time to search within your spirit to determine what that right is.”

in 1961, country singer Toby Keith was born. During the Second Gulf War, Keith’s Marines Reserve unit was called up, and he left music to fight for his country. He was killed in Iraq during the Fallujah uprising.

in 2000, the forces of galactic justice catch He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named as He attacks sector 75091. The billions of sentients in this sector flee as His horrific power turns their worlds into charred ruins. The forces of galactic justice are only barely able to drive him away; soon, his power will exceed their’s.

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